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MONROVIA-Almost two years after a diamond found in Gbarpolu County was seized from the most fortunate discoverer and went missing in a controversial manner, former officials of government who one way and the other connected to controversy find themselves in trouble, and about to account for their deeds.
What was they, perhaps, regarded as an opportunity, using their powers at the detriment of the discoverers, has now turned ‘bitter’ for them, as the case takes a dramatic turn at the Temple of Justice.
Former Justice, Cllr. Frank Musa Dean, former Lands & Mines Minister, Gester Murray, former Lands & Mines Minister, Emmanuel Titi Swen and many others find themselves in hot water for their respective roles in circumstances surrounding the seizure and missing of the diamond.
Latest court action
On Tuesday, the Civil Law Court for the Sixth Judicial Circuit, Montserrado County, ordered the arrest and detention of the former high-profile officials of government, and diamond industry players, for their alleged role in the disappearance of the 53.34-carat diamond.
Those named and ordered to be held accountable include Cllr. Frank Musa Dean, former Minister of Justice and Attorney General; Gersler Murray, former Minister of Mines and Energy; Mustapha Tounkara, President of the Diamond Dealers Association; Tshaka Connah, also known as Bakat; Emmanuel T.T. Swen; and Korvah Baysah, the appraiser who granted the certificate of origin.
Assigned Circuit Judge, Sianeh Kontoe, in his ruling last week held that the missing diamond transaction bore the hallmarks of “a criminal cartel knitted in connivance, secrecy, and collusion.”
Judge Kontoe’s findings stemmed from a Supreme Court mandate to investigate the legal irregularities surrounding the seizure and subsequent handling of the diamond.
The court concluded that the entire process, including appraisal, certification, and sale under the Kimberly Process, was conducted under the influence of the Attorney General’s opinion, with no transparency or proper documentation.
The ruling described the case as involving “a network of a criminal cartel knitted in the author of connivance, secrecy and collusion.”
Judge Kontoe stressed that it was highly unlikely that the diamond could have vanished without the involvement of high-level officials.
Ex-Lands & Mines Minister Gesler Murray
According to the court, the concerned individuals either directly participated in or facilitated the illegal sale of the diamond outside Liberia.
“Tounkara failed to provide required documentation to establish the diamond’s origin before selling it abroad under instructions from Dean and Murray,” Judge Konto said, while Baysah, who issued the certificate of origin, is accused of concealing vital information about the buyer and the transaction, including how much was paid for the diamond.
“They shall have been arrested and detained at the Monrovia Central Prison until they shall have found, answered, and detained the Monrovia question,” the ruling declared.
Alphonso Toweh
Has been in the profession for over twenty years. He has worked for many international media outlets including: West Africa Magazine, Africa Week Magazine, African Observer and did occasional reporting for CNN, BBC World Service, Sunday Times, NPR, Radio Deutchewells, Radio Netherlands. He is the current correspondent for Reuters
He holds first MA with honors in International Relations and a candidate for second master in International Peace studies and Conflict Resolution from the University of Liberia.
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